Snap-hook.



PATENTED JUNE 7, 1904'.

P. U. KEENE.

SNAP HOOK. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3

N0 MODEL.

Patented June 7, 1904,

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN U. KEENE, OF FAYETTE, MISSOURI.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,171, dated June 7, 1904.

Application filed November 3, 1903. Serial No. 179,741. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN U. KEENE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fayette, in the county of Howard, State of Misso'uri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-Hooks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to snap-hooks for use in harness or Wherever rapid attaching and detaching of lines is desired, the object of the invention being to provide a hook of this nature accidental disengagement of which will be practically impossible and the attachment or detachment of which will require a mini mum amount of time.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device in engagement with a ring. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device, showing the position of the pivoted member when it is being engaged with a ring.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention comprises a body portion '5, having an attaching-loop 6 at one of its ends and a recess 7 in one of its sides. This recess communicates with what may be termed the forward edge 8 of the body 5 and extends through substantially half the length of this edge. The

remaining portion of the edge 8 is occupied by a forwardly-projecting finger 9, which is of peculiar shape.

The finger 9 is formed into a loop 10, which lies transversely of the body 5, and the bill 11 is bent outwardly and over the shank 12 of the hook and extends downwardly beyond the shank to a point in a plane with the center of the body portion 5.

The recess 7 receives the enlarged endportion 13 of a hook 14. This enlarged portion is perforated to receive a pivot-pin 15, which is secured in perforations 16 in the sides of the recess. The hook 14 is of the, ordinary form and in its operative position lies therebeneath with the end 17 of its bill in engagement with the end of the bill 11.

When it is desired to engage the snap-hook with a ring, loop, or other device, a lug 18, which projects from the enlarged portion 13, is depressed, which moves the hook 14 upon the pivot-pin 15 and disengages the bills of the two hooks. The bill 11 is now engaged with the ring, which is moved along the hook until it lies upon the shank and engaged over that portion of the bill which lies below the shank. If the hook 14 be now returned to its operative position, this bill will pass within the ring, and the ring may then be moved over this hook to lie in the bights of both hooks, as shown in Fig. 1. In this position it will be seen that accidental disengagement of the hook from the ring is practically impossible. In disengaging the hook from the ring the operation is carried out in the reverse direction.

In practice modifications of the specific construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. A snap-hook comprisinga hooked member having its bill bent to lie with the end thereof at the rear of the shank of the hook, and a second hooked member pivoted to the first-named member with its hook disposed oppositely to the hook thereof and lying with the end of its bill normally in engagement with the bill of the first-named member.

2. A snap-hook comprising a body portion, having a recess in one of its edges, a hook extending from one end of the body portion and having its bill bent in semicircular shape to inclose the shank of the hook and lying with its bill at the rear of the shank, and a second hook pivoted in the recess of the body portion and adapted to lie normally in engagement with the end of the bill of the first-named hook.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN U. KEENE.

Witnesses:

WILLARD SMITH, ERNEST G. PHILLIPS. 

